1 – Funky Ceili – Black 47 – Not the version you know, the earliest one they sold at their residency in a bar on 2nd avenue, the one with the extended ending where Larry is telling his friends in New York he has lots of girls and is on MTV and they should come and visit! Much more fun!! – A
2 – Streams Of Whiskey – The Pogues – He isn’t dead but when he passes this will be Shane’s epitaph, a song without precedent. SImply the greatest ode to alcohol ever written – A+
3 – Irish Heartbeat – Van Morrison The difference between this one and the duet he just released is this is this is highly arranged mood music. Still, brilliant mind – A-
4 – Irish Heartbeat – Van Morrison and Mark Knopfler – This is actually better. Morrison is a better singer than he was, and though I’d prefer it if Mark didn’t take a verse, his guitar playing is gorgeous… it makes you wanna cry – A
5 – Going Home (Theme From “Local Hero”) – Mark Knopfler – Astoundingly beautiful composition, the greatest moment in his career? Sublime, impassioned and glorious instrumental, fills you with a yearning for something you can’t touch – A
6 – Strange (Live) – Laura Marling – This version, from the Beacon last December, is a masterpiece, her singing is so much better, more melodic, and her falsetto on the chorus takes you over – A
7 – Veni Vidi Vici – Madonna with Nas – This is the one where she references her old songs – B+
8 – The Blacker The Berry – Kendrick Lamar – Not many people could get away with this powerful explosion and exposition on black rage and black culpability – A
9 – Psycho – Muse – If this is anything to go by, a thumping hard rocker, expect very good things off the new Muse album – A-
10 – Too Ra Loo Ra Loo Ra – An Irish Lullaby – Bing Crosby – Happy St. Patrick’s Day – A+
